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06 March 2010

The Go-Aheadism of Citybus continues

Go-Ahead to transfer more Solos to replace the Mercedes 709s

SOME of Plymouth's ageing fleet of single-decker Mercedes buses are to be pensioned off. Citybus's new owner, Go-Ahead, is transferring 12 Optare Solo vehicles from its bus companies in the South and North of England. The single deck, easy access buses will replace the Mercedes 709s that have been in the fleet since 1995. Andrew Wickham, managing director at Plymouth Citybus, said that more than £70,000 would be invested to refurbish the vehicles inside and out, with the addition of new destination displays and CCTV cameras. "The new liveried buses will be introduced into service over the next few months after our fitters and spray shop teams complete the refurbishments," Mr Wickham said.This is Plymouth

We of course already have 4 of them in Plymouth currently being refurbished so hopefully it wont be too long before the first one enters service.

I do like one of the comments on the story though:

"Why don't Go-ahead buy all the bendy buses that Boris Johnson is forcing the London Bus system to sell. There must be a good deal to be done and they would be useful, capacious and look quite smart around Plymouth"

Clearly they don't know that Go-Ahead already own more of the bendy buses than they know what to do with! The ex London bendy buses are slowly starting to find new uses with some heading for Liverpool (Arriva) and within Go-Ahead both Wilts and Dorset and Brighton & Hove are also trialling bendy buses in service. I am sure it wont be long before Citybus get to try one. I am sure there are a few routes which could accommodate bendy buses in Plymouth, although the biggest obstacle is always going to be Royal Parade which clearly struggles to cope with the load it already has. I guess we will have to wait and see!

First on Twitter / Facebook 02 March 09:19: DEVON: No reported issues at the moment. 02 March 16:48 PLYMOUTH: Traffic particularly heavy at Derriford due to road works/ traffic management scheme. Delays to services 7,15 & 83/84/86 expected. 04 March 18:15 PLYMOUTH: Heavy traffic in Crownhill area affecting ugo services 7, 15 & 17 plus PR1 & Tavy Linx services 83/84/86. 05 March 18:36 The weather is looking to be fine across Devon & Cornwall this weekend so why not have a day out with First? We've great value day tickets.

It is still an investment - the buses cost money even if they are transfers from within the group. Citybus were looking to replace the older Mercs before they were taken over, its just a bit easier for them now as part of a large group

About Me

My main on-line activity is the Plymothian Transit Blog which covers anything and everything to do with transport in and around Plymouth. My main interest was always buses and coaches so these feature heavily in the blog but I am also covering the railways and the road of Plymouth past and present. The development of the City also gets a mention from time to time.